Got my new PP505 this week

[Bikenstitchz]

I finally received my Power Pro 205 this week. The unit arrived in good condition, but the bag of plasma bits was broken, and what parts remained were strewn about the shipping carton. Also the air pressure gauge was broken. Today I put a power cord on it, did some stick welding, and was very impressed. Much more refined control vs my old Lincoln tombstone unit. Have yet to get some argon to work the tig.

I hooked up the plasma torch and regulator(with the gauge sans glass), and can't get it to hold an arc for more than an instant. Double checked the connections, electrode tightness, clean ground, clean metal. I even opened up the torch to ensure it was sound. Any ideas, including preliminary settings? I'm cutting 1/8 steel for practice.

Thanks

[performance]

What's your air pressure? Did you download the manual? It's not updated, but it will include the basics to get you up and running. Do you have the swirl ring in?

[Titan winch]

Can you confirm that you have the plasma torch hooked into the Negative Port on the unit.

[Bikenstitchz]

Thanks for the replies Mark and Titan- I read the downloaded manual and had followed recommendation 1, pg 15, which says the plasma torch connects to the positive lug. After my forum posting, I made a quick call and learned that it indeed goes to the negative lug, which is also stated in item #5, pg 15. After a quick switch I'm cutting for the first time . Even made a little stand-off for the plasma torch from heavy wire to help maintain distance control.

It would also be handy to put a chart in the manual w/various starting connections and settings as a baseline, to keep us noobs busy without bothering the collective with our answered-a-million-times questions.

Kind of like what Fender did with this settings chart. Thanks again

[performance]

Bikenstitchz,

I think you may have misread: Here is it is cut and pasted:

Positive(+) lug. For TIG, connect the work clamp (ground) to the positive side. For Plasma, connect the same. For Stick welding, connect electrode holder torch to this side for most operations depending upon the type welding rods used. Consult welding rod manufacturer’s recommendation.


Here's the statement from point #5

Negative (-) lug. For TIG operation, connect the TIG torch to this side. For Plasma torch operation, connect the torch to the negative lug also.

[Bikenstitchz]

"...connect the same..." OOOHHHhhhh.

[performance]

That's alright, you wouldn't be the first. I have guys all the time tell me they read something all the time that wasn't there. More often though, they'll tell me the manual didn't cover it, and then I'll send them to the page and line.

Men, for the most part really do rely on "when all else fails, read the directions".